CRNI’s 2010 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning was given to Iranian cartoonist Mana Neyestani.
Mana Neyestani was subjected to jail time and death threats for a cartoon that, in our opinion, unintentionally offended the Azeri community in Iran. Despite assuring the Azeri community that he had not intended to offend anyone, Mana was forced to flee for his life. Special commendation was given to Mrs. Sandya Eknaligoda of Sri Lanka for her persistent pressure brought to bear on the Sri Lankan government to account for the disappearance of her cartoonist husband Prageeth. Learn more about Mana and the struggles he and his wife have endured in the Middle East/North Africa section of our Art to Die For collection. And learn the story of Sandya’s brave protest in the South Asia section of our Art to Die For collection. [full story]

CRNI’s 2009 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning was given to Mexican cartoonist Mario Robles Patiño
Mario was beaten up in broad daylight for daring to draw cartoons critical of the governor of Oaxaca and the local ruling party. During the assault he was told he would be eliminated if he continued. Despite the assault and the death threat, Mario continued to draw such cartoons. Learn of Mario’s tremendous courage in the Americas section of our Art to Die For collection.[full story]

CRNI’s 2008 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning was given to Palestinian cartoonist Baha’ Boukhari.

Baha’ Boukhari was threatened and his newspaper shut down by the Fatah movement for a cartoon that criticized the party’s governing style. Fatah even tried to label him anti-Islamic. He didn’t back down. Fatah backed down after the local community literally rallied for Baha and the free speech rights of every Palestinian.

CRNI’s 2007 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning was given to South African cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, better known as “Zapiro.”

For a series of cartoons highlighting then Vice President Jacob Zuma’s colorful career, Zapiro was sued by Zuma for a staggering amount of money and Zapiro and his family were threatened by unknown individuals. Some of the charges have been dropped by President Jacob Zuma. But some of the charges are still pending. Learn more about Jonathan’s unwavering stand in our Sub-Sarahan section of our Art to Die For collection.

CRNI’s 2006 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning was shared by Algerian cartoonist Ali Dilem, and the 12 Danish cartoonists whose cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed caused an international uproar.

Ali Dilem has been chosen as the co-recipient of CRNI’s 2006 Courage In Editorial Cartooning Award, after being sentenced in February by an Algerian court to one year in jail and a 50,000 dinar fine for a set of cartoons printed in the newspaper Liberté. In announcing the award, CRNI President Joel Pett noted that “CRNI is proud to stand in support of cartoonists rights to express their points of view, whether popular or not.” [full article]

The story of the 12 Danish cartoonists who drew Mohammed was a global phenomenon, with tragic consequences. The publication of their work became a cause célèbre in both the western and Muslim worlds, where it was used to incite riots and violence that left dozens dead. For the cartoonists themselves, many have been forced into protective hiding, with religious extremists publicly calling for them to be killed for drawing the Muslim prophet Mohammed.
Kurt Westergaard’s cartoon of the prophet Mohammed with a bomb in his turban is among the most controversial and fought over cartoon images in modern times.[full article]

CRNI’s 2005 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning was given to Turkish cartoonist Musa Kart.

Musa and his newspaper were sued by Prime Minister Recep Erdogan for a cartoon of the Prime Minister depicting him as a kitten entangled in a ball of yarn. The implication was that the Prime Minister was clumsily entangled in politics. The courts eventually agreed that Musa’s opinion did not amount to libel. Learn more about Musa’s ultimately inspiring story in our Eastern Europe section of our Art to Die For collection. [full story]